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Armenia’s former Justice Minister Davit Harutyunyan is critical of the amendments to the Judicial Reform Package developed by the authorities which contains an amendment to the Law on the Constitutional Court. The amendment introduces the possibility for CC judges to resign before the end of the mandate with several advantages, including a provision they will continue to receive their salaries and other benefits if they tender resignations.

“I would call it not an early pension but a bribe. The message to the judges is the following: If you continue serving as a judge and apply to pension after fulfillment of your terms of office, you will get less in pension, to compare what you will receive if you apply for early retirement today. That is to say the suggested proposal is against the principle of voluntarity. Furthermore, the Venice Commission clearly states that the scheme may not apply to the outcome of pending cases,” Harutyunyan said.

Asked what is the reason to bribe the judges, the former minister pointed to the desire of the authorities to fully control the Constitutional Court. “That will enable the ruling majority and in particular Nikol Pashinyan to form a Constitutional Court that will without hindrance implement the wishes of the authorities and Pashinyan,” added Harutyunyan.